Power operated cigarette lighter

ABSTRACT

A cigarette lighter for an automotive vehicle, and wherein when the cigarette lighter is pushed in, the ashtray automatically slides outward into operational use, the device comprising an auxillary electric circuit closed by the cigarette lighter to activate a solonoid that pushes out the ashtray, and a switch that opens the auxillary circuit when the ash tray is again pushed inward.

United States Patent [191 Bird [451 Jan. 2, 1973 [54] POWER OPERATED CIGARETTE LIGHTER [76] v Inventor: Jack L. Bird, Lowell, 1nd. 46356 [22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 95,499

[52] US. Cl. ..280/l R, 206/195 E, 219/263,

[51] Int. Cl ..Bn 3/12, B60n 3/14 [58] Field of Search ..280/ R; /90;

[56] References Cited v UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,337,282 8/1967 Groff et al. ..312/223 X 2,555,716 6/1951 Todhunter ..206/19.5 E X 2,796,310 6/1957 Anderson 2,226,250 12/1940 Mayer ..219/260 X 2,993,491 7/1961 Bohnsack ..312/223 X Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Leslie J. Paperner [57] ABSTRACT A cigarette lighter for an automotive vehicle, and wherein when the cigarette lighter is pushed in, the ashtray automatically slides outward into operational use, the device comprising an auxillary electric circuit, closed by the cigarette lighter to activate a solonoid that pushes out the ashtray, and a switch that opens the auxillary circuit when the ash tray is again pushed inward.

3 Clalms,l Drawing Figure POWER OPERATED CIGARETTE LIGHTER This invention relates generally to automobile cigarette lighters. More specifically it relates to an automobile dashboard ashtray.

It is generally well known that when a person, sitting on a front seat of an automobile, obliged to reach for the ashtray and pull it outward of the dashboard so that he may deposit cigarette ashes therein. If the smoker happens to be the vehicle driver, the task of pulling out the ashtray, although a simple task,- yet comprises an act that momentarily diverts his attention away from the road and therefore contributes to a danger for accidents on the highways. This situation is therefore in want of improvement.

Accordingly, it is a principle object of the present invention to provide a vehicle dashboard ashtray which automatically slides outwardly of the dashboard when the cigarette lighter is pushed in for use.

Another object is to provide a device wherein the ash tray lamp is also turned on when the ashtray is moved outward, so that by simply pushing'the lighter in, the lamp can provide light for illumination at night time for reading a map or for other purposes.

Yet another object is to provide a device wherein the cigarette lighter can be constructed on the front of the ashtray and wherein by pushing a button, both the lighter and ashtray will be operated for use at the same time.

Other objects are to provide a power operated cigarette lighter which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation. i

I These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

The sole FIGURE is an electro-mechanical diagram of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral represents a power operated cigarette lighter according to the present invention wherein there is a cigarette lighter 11 and an ashtray 12 mounted in a dashboard 13 of an automotive vehicle. The cigarette lighter is of conventional type'connected to a conventional electric circuit 14. The lighter 11 includes accordingly a receptacle unit 15 stationarily mounted in the dashboard and a removable lighter unit 16 that is receivable within the receptacle. The circuit 14 includes contacts 17 for closing the circuit to a battery 18 and a means of pushing the lighter unit 16 outwards after it is heated. The ashtray 12 includes a slidable tray 19 that can travel within a track, not shown in 14, and which includes a solenoid 22 and a switch 23.

In operative use, when the cigarette lighter unit 16 is pushed in for heating up, the circuit 21a to the solonoid is closed so to cause the solenoid plunger 24 to push the tray outwardly of the dashboard. Thus the tray when pushed out, allows a pin 25 behind it to also move forwardly, the rear end of the pin releasing its retain on a contact spring 26 so to permit the spring 27, adjacent thereto, to move over and engage with a contact 28 thus closing the circuit 21b to the lamp.

After the ashtray 18 no longer needed, it can be manually pushed inward, thus causing the pin 25 to open the switch so to put out the light. At the same time, the plunger 24 returns the solonoid to original position.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it is to be understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention:

I claim:

1. The combination of a vehicular cigarette lighter and an ashtray both of which are mounted in the dashboard and wherein said ashtray is slidable from a closed inner position to an open outer position, said cigarette lighter being activated by an electric circuit powered from the vehicle battery, said lighter being movable from an outer position wherein said circuit is open to an inner position wherein said circuit is closed by said lighter in combination with means for moving the ashtray to the open position, said means being activated to move the ashtray to the open position when the cigarette lighter in said inner position thereby closing said circuit, said means including an auxiliary electric circuit in series with the first said circuit and a solenoid activated plunger which thrusts the ashtray to the open position when the first said circuit is closed.

2. The combination as in claim 1 in further combination with a lamp for lighting the ashtray including electric means for actuating the lamp responsive to movement of the tray to the open position.

3. The combination as in claim 1 wherein a second auxiliary circuit is provided in series with the first said circuit, said second auxiliary circuit having a switch, which is actuated to the closed position in response to outward movement of the ashtray. 

1. The combination of a vehicular cigarette lighter and an ashtray both of which are mounted in the dashboard and wherein said ashtray is slidable from a closed inner position to an open outer position, said cigarette lighter being activated by an electric circuit powered from the vehicle battery, said lighter being movable from an outer position wherein said circuit is open to an inner position wherein said circuit is closed by said lighter in combination with means for moving the ashtray to the open position, said means being activated to move the ashtray to the open position when the cigarette lighter in said inner position thereby closing said circuit, said means including an auxiliary electric circuit in series with the first said circuit and a solenoid activated plunger which thrusts the ashtray to the open position when the first said circuit is closed.
 2. The combination as in claim 1 in further combination with a lamp for lighting the ashtray including electric means for actuating the lamp responsive to movement of the tray to the open position.
 3. The combination as in claim 1 wherein a second auxiliary circuit is provided in series with the first said circuit, said second auxiliary circuit having a switch, which is actuated to the closed position in response to outward movement of the ashtray. 